Offering city amenities with a community-oriented feel, Fall River maintains the local distinction of a diverse educational, culinary, business and artistic hub. Fall River made a name for itself in the 1800s as a fabric/textile giant. Fall River's first two cotton mills were built in 1813, with the last built in 1916; over 100 cotton mills were built between those two dates, making Fall River the largest US producer of cotton in the 1890s. Portuguese, French, Irish and English immigrants worked in the textile mills powered by the Taunton River. Today, the city is a diverse melting pot of ethnicities and religions, resulting in a multi-cultural array of stores, restaurants, businesses, festivals and organizations. Fall River capitalized on its rich history and location to create more business for the city. The once defunct mills now house apartments and shopping complexes. Buffs of the macabre flock to Fall River for a visit to Lizzie Borden's childhood home and accompanying museum. And the waters of the Taunton River now host tourist attractions with restaurants, the famed Battleship Cove, Marine Museum, and Fall River Heritage State Park. Fall River has morphed into a thriving educational beacon. Higher education institutions include Bristol Community College, UMass Dartmouth's Center of Professional and Continuing Studies, Fisher College and the International Institute of Culinary Arts. Roger Williams University is slated to operate a center for professional development in a five-story building on Pleasant Street, offering classroom training in a variety of skills. UMass Dartmouth's Advanced Manufacturing and Technology Center is a 60,000 square-feet state-of-the-art technology facility providing advanced technology and manufacturing solutions through industry and university partnerships. Galleries, musical events and community-centered projects entice residents to enjoy the arts and culture. The Narrows Center for the Arts hosts events for nationally known and regional artists, musicians, writers and performers, as well as programs for the community. The Center encompasses the Renaissance Gallery, the Performing Arts area, the Narrows Café and artists' studios. Summertime concerts and festivals enliven the scene. The Quequechan River Festival includes a three-legged race, pony rides, potato sack races, kayak demonstrations on the Quequechan and more. The event brings to the forefront the "hidden" river that flows through the city, from which Fall River got its name. The annual Fall River Celebrates America Waterfront Festival will kick off on Aug. 5, with four days of food, fun, family-oriented entertainment; the festival draws about 100,000 every year. Fall River continues to grow, both economically and in terms of residents. The city recently recommended that $500,000 be spent on new math teachers, a move that could have a positive effect on MCAS scores. The city boasts two high schools, four middle schools, and 28 elementary schools. Low interest rates and a refinancing trend have spurred a surge in home buying on the SouthCoast, and Fall River is no exception. Apartment and condominium complexes along the shores of the Taunton River are popular choices. Choice of homes is eclectic and includes multi-families and ranches on narrow streets or Victorians in the Highland area.